The U.S. House Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans and Wildlife held a hearing Wednesday on H.R. 934, an “Act to Convey Certain Submerged Lands to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands,” authored by Congressman Gregorio C. Sablan, Ind.-MP. (See story on page 3)
In his written testimony to the subcommittee, Fitial said the then-chairman of the Council on Environmental Quality, James Connaughton, told CNMI leaders that their request regarding submerged lands would be considered in a piece of legislation.
“As you know, the question of commonwealth control over submerged lands has been a controversial issue in our community for several decades. Litigation regarding the matter finally reached the U.S. Supreme Court a few years ago and the legal issues are now resolved,” said Fitial.
He said his appearance before the panel is largely because of his discussion with Connaughton regarding the scope and terms of the Marianas Trench Marine National Monument that then-President Bush designated on Jan. 6.
“During our discussions, Chairman Connaughton promised that his administration would support legislation giving the commonwealth control over its submerged lands. The proclamation expressly recognized that subsequent legislation might grant the commonwealth control over submerged lands and that these lands ‘may remain part of the monument, for coordination of management with the government of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.’ I hope that the new administration will also support this legislation,” Fitial said.
He added that the CNMI wants legislation that provides the local government “some form of revenue sharing with respect to mineral deposits on federal submerged lands.”
“Such legislation might be of significant economic benefit to the insular areas. I request that this subcommittee at some appropriate time direct its attention to the development and enactment of such legislation,” he added.
